WASHINGTON — Brian Grunenfelder, former deputy assistant U.S. Trade Representative (U.S.T.R.) in the Office of Agricultural Affairs, has joined the American Sugar Alliance (A.S.A.) as an in-house consultant.

Mr. Grunenfelder will work alongside A.S.A. trade adviser Don Phillips in helping analyze global trade issues that impact U.S. sugar farmers, the A.S.A. said. Mr. Phillips will continue with the A.S.A. in a more limited role, primarily focused on the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Sweeteners and Sweetener Products at the U.S.D.A.

In his capacity with the U.S.T.R., Mr. Grunenfelder played a key role in negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, from which President Donald Trump later withdrew. He led the U.S.-Japan T.P.P. Agricultural Market Access Group and managed agricultural negotiations with South Korea, Colombia and Peru. Previously he spent more than 25 years with the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S.D.A.

“We warmly welcome Brian and are thrilled that he has brought his vast experience in agriculture and trade policy to the American Sugar Alliance,” said Ryan Weston, chairman of the A.S.A. “America’s sugar farmers are increasingly under threat from unfair foreign subsidies and malicious trade practices. Brian has the expertise to navigate these varied international challenges and will be an invaluable asset in shaping sugar policy here at home.”

The A.S.A. is a national coalition of sugar beet and cane growers, processors, refiners, suppliers, workers and others in the U.S. sugar industry.